The 2025 NBA Finals involved a magical run from the Indiana Pacers as Tyree Halliburton led his team to the final round after multiple tough series.
The Pacers went against almost all expectations during the 2025 playoffs. It was a magical time for fans as their team defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks.
It followed the NBA Finals as they go to the toes with the Oklahoma City Thunder. They went all the way to a complete seven-game series, but they lost after Tyrese Halliburton burst his Achilles.
It was the run that made Pacers more respected as a candidate for the Eastern Conference. But they have several detractors, including former NBA All-star Jeff Teague.
Teague once played for the Pacers, but he wasn’t the biggest fan of their run in the 2025 playoffs. This is surprising given his birth and bred in Indiana.
Of course, this might be a joke with his co-host on the Club 520 podcast, but he made a bold statement that the Pacers weren’t a good enough team for the NBA Finals.
That’s an unpopular opinion given that the Pacers have beaten some of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
“Last year you ruined basketball… If he averaged 15 this year, he’s good, Nenbird. But to play 30 minutes and only 10 minutes on average, I don’t see you… Tailese missed so much.”
“It’s one of the worst finals in NBA history. Y’all had a lucky run. Bro. One of the worst rosters in NBA history to make the final. I have nothing.
These were some wild statements, but his co-hosts were able to continue supporting what Pacer did.
Halliburton’s injury will not return the Pacers to the title race next season. They have a gap year, with other players working on their game before the star’s return.
Andrew Nenbird will have a good year as a de facto starting point guard.
Miles Turner has set out for the Milwaukee Bucks, so there are more opportunities to wait for other players. The new acquisition Jay Huff could potentially become a starter alongside frontcourt Pascal Siakam.
The Pacers can run another underdog, but that will come when Halliburton returns.
Head coach Rick Carlisle has cut off his job because he needs to prepare for a potential return to the NBA Finals in 2027, when everyone is healthy.